It's your turn. You can decide whether someone is going to attain their dream school or will be going to their safety. Before you vote to accept, deny, or waitlist this person ask yourself: Is this someone I would want to be friends with? What is his passion? What makes her tick? What will he add to the campus? What type of person is this? Have fun and be kind.

My Story

Often I would observe my mother and see how tired and weak she is getting. But her hard-working body is constantly moving, never having enough time for herself or for her family. My father on the other hand, is disabled and cannot work.Knowing that both of my parents came to the United States as refugees, struggling with English as their second language, and never given the opportunity to be educated, they always encouraged me to do well in school. My parents would always say “Education will get you somewhere, make you become the person that you were meant to be, don't hold back because of where you came from.” Knowing that my parents had so much difficulty adjusting to the new life in America, I'm determined to finish the goal of graduating from college with their teachings. I plan to pursuemy education as an undergraduate student at the University of Madison.

Most of the times my parents are busy with their own schedules so they don’t have time to help my siblings and me with our own needs. My mom is busy with work at a sticker company which pays her just enough money so that she can support my family. My dad, on the other hand, tries to help us in any way that he possibly can. Such as picking us up from our after school activities or driving us to places where we need to go, but he can only do so much because of his disabilities. My usual afternoon schedule consists of after school activities,going home and doing chores around the house, which takes many hours before I can actually start on homework. By the time homework starts, the sun has already started to fall upon the horizon. My dad can’t help much because of his language barrier so I have to rely on my own resources for help.

As my parents continued their lives living here in the United States, I have seen my parent’s character change throughout the years. As my older siblings broke the rules of old culture to American ways, how these rules had broken my parent’s heart many times. My parents use to view this as a “bad” kid because going out so much were not typical Hmong kids, so they refused to let my older siblings be involved. My siblings have fought for their rights to join clubs, be involved with after school activities, and joined programs at Kennedy Heights Community Center. Because my older siblings challenged my parents traditional views of Hmong children roles, they were able to get my parents to open up to the American lifestyle. This, I believe, was what helped pave the way for me to be involved in so many things. My parents realized that it was a positive thing for my siblings and me to join these programs for us to broaden our way of thoughts, and help us grow to be a better person.

There were many challenges and difficulties that my parents have faced, but they were able to change their ways and thoughts on life in order for my siblings and me to become the person that we will become. They have made many sacrifices for me and worked in anyway that they can so that my life can be better than theirs. In order for me to fulfill my dreams and theirs I believe that going to college will make me closer to that dream of mine and my parents.